CVE-2024-1162 in Orbit Fox Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2024
The Orbit Fox by ThemeIsle plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 2.10.29. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the register_reference() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update the connected API keys via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The Orbit Fox plugin by ThemeIsle represents a popular WordPress extension designed to enhance website functionality through various tools and integrations. This particular vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 21029, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. The vulnerability manifests as a cross-site request forgery flaw that undermines the plugin's security mechanisms and potentially compromises the entire website's integrity.
The technical flaw resides within the register_reference() function which fails to implement proper nonce validation. Nonces serve as critical security tokens that verify the authenticity of requests and ensure they originate from legitimate administrative actions. Without adequate nonce verification, the plugin cannot distinguish between genuine administrative requests and maliciously crafted forged requests. This absence of validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the plugin's API key registration process without proper authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the site's integration with external services and APIs. An unauthenticated attacker who successfully tricks a site administrator into clicking a malicious link could gain unauthorized access to modify critical API keys, potentially leading to service disruption, data exposure, or unauthorized access to connected third-party systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where API key management occurs, making it particularly dangerous for site owners who maintain multiple service integrations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a failure to implement proper input validation and request verification mechanisms that are fundamental to web application security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, specifically the technique of "Phishing" as it relies on social engineering to trick administrators into performing malicious actions. The attack vector requires user interaction through a malicious link, making it particularly challenging to defend against without proper security awareness training.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issue, as well as implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls and monitoring for unauthorized API key changes. Site administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting regular security audits to detect similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper nonce implementation in WordPress plugins and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the development lifecycle to prevent such flaws from reaching production environments.